The Hunger Games

Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don't live to see the morning? In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by 12 outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

I didn't expect much when I read this book. But it kept getting deeper and deeper. Following Katness Everdine's journey as she takes her sister's place in a deadly situation and triumphs over trial after trial. This is no teeny bopper drama. This is a dark, deadly story. It gave me chills and made me want more. Thank goodness there are two more books to go!

The Sword of Shannara: The Shannara Series, Book 1

Long ago, the wars of the ancient Evil ruined the world. In peaceful Shady Vale, half-elfin Shea Ohmsford knows little of such troubles. But the supposedly dead Warlock Lord is plotting to destroy everything in his wake. The sole weapon against this Power of Darkness is the Sword of Shannara, which can be used only by a true heir of Shannara. On Shea, last of the bloodline, rests the hope of all the races.

This is the first book I have heard narrated by Mr. Brick. I read this book originally in the 5th grade (1985) and again in the 9th. I am still following Mr. Brooks' series. It is one of the greatest fantasy novels ever written and re-ignited the genre which had petered out after Mr. Tolkien's death. Mr. Brick's lack of emotion as he read this book almost in a monotone made me never want to hear another book read by him and never want to hear another Fantasy novel via audiobook. Hopefully, my mind will change one day. And honestly, I had just finished my third trip through the Harry Potter series and EVERYONE pales in comparison to Jim Dale. I do not recommend this book though. Whether you are already a Terry Brooks fan or you're thinking of becoming one. This narrative will kill that spark. AND for 2 credits, the price is pretty dear!

Sh-t My Dad Says

After being dumped by his longtime girlfriend, 28-year-old Justin Halpern found himself living at home with his 73-year-old dad. Sam Halpern, who is “like Socrates, but angrier, and with worse hair,” has never minced words, and when Justin moved back home, he began to record all the ridiculous things his dad said to him.

Why we think it’s a great listen: The most celebrated performance in all of Audible’s history, The Help has nearly 2,000 5-star reviews from your fellow listeners. We hear the print book’s not bad, either. In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women - mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends - view one another.

It's been a year since I read this book. In that time, the movie has come out. It got great reviews, but I refused to see it. These women, these voices, THEY are my characters. I love each of them. Anyone can hear this book and love it. I appreciate it on many levels and will listen again, and again, and again...

Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life

In the mid-70s, Steve Martin exploded onto the comedy scene. By 1978 he was the biggest concert draw in the history of stand-up. In 1981 he quit forever. Born Standing Up is, in his own words, the story of "why I did stand-up and why I walked away".

I loved listening to Steve's narrative and finding out where all those funny bits that I got so familiar with in his HBO specials, Saturday Night Live appearances, and that ridiculous movie, The Jerk, came from. Steve Martin has always been one of my favorite physical comedians and when he jumped the Big Screen I was thrilled. He is definitely NOT meant to read his own story however. He is not that great a narrator and most of the story comes across much drier than it should have. But he is and always will be an amazing actor, performer and author. I can only thank him for this raw and uncensored autobiography.

Roots: The Saga of an American Family

Why we think it’s a great listen: A masterpiece like none other, Brooks’ powerful performance of Haley’s words has been known to leave listeners in tears. It begins with a birth in an African village in 1750, and ends two centuries later at a funeral in Arkansas. And in that time span, an unforgettable cast of men, women, and children come to life, many of them based on the people from Alex Haley's own family tree.

I am a white girl from Southern Mississippi. I first read Roots when I was in the fifth grade. I vaguely remembered my parents watching the TV mini series when I was little and since I was on a tear through Elementary School to read every classic novel ever written, I picked this one up in the library and thought it would make for some good "light reading". I thought that any book that was a TV series in the 70s was definitely "light", despite the bulk of the tome in my hand. I started reading and was captivated by the story. Particularly the account of Kunta's trek across the Ocean aboard the galley ship...I remember tears in my eyes. I felt like I could feel his pain. I read the book again in High School. I thought maybe it had been blown up in my imagination due to my tender years the first time around. I was wrong and was just as captivated. I read this book for the final time after I joined the Navy. Lying in my rack at night, listening the groaning of the Destroyer's hull and feeling the thin mattress of my "coffin rack", the Kunta's ocean journey was even more meaningful. I tried to watch the TV series. It just didn't resonate with me like the book did. When I saw the unabridged version on Audible, I downloaded it dubiously and then became captivated once again. This time not only by the characters, but also by the deep, resonant voice of Avery Brooks as he made these characters come to life. This isn't a book you listen to, it's a book you experience. Thank you Mr. Haley and Mr. Brooks. This book is truly part of my soul.

Rules of Prey: A Lucas Davenport Novel

The "maddog" murderer who is terrorizing the Twin Cities is two things: insane and extremely intelligent. He kills for the pleasure of it and thoroughly enjoys placing elaborate obstacles to keep police befuddled. Each clever move he makes is another point of pride. But when the brilliant Lieutenant Lucas Davenport, a dedicated cop and a serial killer's worst nightmare, is brought in to take up the investigation, the maddog suddenly has an adversary worthy of his genius.

I started reading the Prey Novels when I was in 7th grade. I picked up Eyes of Prey from my Dad's bedside table and I was hooked. I have the entire series in paperback. When I found this book on Audible I was not too enthusiastic. I had a picture of Lucas in my head and my own idea about how he would sound. However, the narrator, Richard Farrone, did a really good job and you get a good idea of what a tough character Davenport truly is. I hope this series continues in this vein.

The Throne of Fire: Kane Chronicles, Book 2

Ever since the gods of Ancient Egypt were unleashed in the modern world, Carter Kane and his sister, Sadie, have been in trouble. As descendants of the House of Life, the Kanes have some powers at their command, but the devious gods haven’t given them much time to master their skills at Brooklyn House, which has become a training ground for young magicians. And now their most threatening enemy yet—the chaos snake Apophis—is rising.

I loved Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series. This one is just as fun and even informative. I remember loving mythology, but Riordan takes it to a fun level and I find myself wishing I was back in history class learning about Ancient Egypt. I'm sure that there is plenty of artistic license going on, but Riordan makes it believable, as much as believable CAN be. I can't wait to hear more of this series. This one is even better than the first one, which was an awful lot of fun in and of itself!

Go the F--k to Sleep

Academy Award nominee Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction) rocks this mock bedtime story, capturing a hilarious range of emotions as the voice of a father struggling to get his child to sleep. Go the F**k to Sleep is a bedtime book for parents who live in the real world, where a few snoozing kitties and cutesy rhymes don’t always send a toddler sailing blissfully off to dreamland.

I'm pretty sure that my Dad had these same thoughts running through his head when I was little and wanted that one last story, the last drink of water, one more trip to the potty. However, I hope to God that no little kid ever has to actually hear this. It's funny for adults, but definitely should be R Rated. I got it because it was free. Free was worth it.

Dog on It: A Chet and Bernie Mystery

In this, their first adventure, Chet and Bernie investigate the disappearance of Madison, a teenage girl who may or may not have been kidnapped, but who has definitely gotten mixed up with some very unsavory characters.

I don't think anyone captures the way I HOPE a dog's mind works as well as Spencer Quinn. This is the most unique detective novel I've ever read. It's full of action, adventure and interesting insight into human behavior. No one can narrate it like Jim Frangione and I will read every Chet and Bernie mystery that comes out religiously.

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